Report to: General Committee                                               Report Date: November 19, 2007

SUBJECT:                          Cathedraltown - Overnight Parking Permit Program

PREPARED BY:               Bill Wiles, extension 4851

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Cathedraltown Overnight Parking Permit Program” be received;

And that Parking Control By-law 2005-188 be amended to permit overnight street parking within the Cathedraltown subdivision subject to a fee of $30.00 per vehicle per month:

And that Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

1. Purpose                     2. Background                      3. Discussion                        4. Financial

5. Others (Environmental, Accessibility, Engage 21st, Affected Units)             6. Attachment(s)

PURPOSE:

To respond to resident requests for the implementation of an Overnight Parking Permit Program for the Cathedraltown subdivision.

BACKGROUND:

Overnight parking is prohibited on Town streets between 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.  The prohibition is in place to:

Provide timely access for emergency vehicles;

Allow safe and efficient movement of traffic;

Provide unobstructed snow removal and road maintenance;

Allow for building and street infrastructure access;

Maintain community design standards; and

Improve community security.

However, there are areas and streets in Markham that are exempt from the above-noted overnight parking prohibition. They include designated streets in the Cornell subdivision, the Thornhill area, and within the Angus Glen subdivision.  Within these areas, overnight parking is permitted if the vehicle has a paid parking permit displayed.

The new urbanism form of development, which is the design concept for Cathedraltown, originated in the Cornell subdivision.  This new form of development presented parking problems to some residents who were accustomed to having more parking spaces available to them on more traditional lots.  As the homes are served by a rear laneway system, there are no driveways at the front of the homes to park vehicles.  A number of residents began parking on the street overnight and were ticketed accordingly.  Impacted residents approached the Town for a solution to their problem.

In response, an Overnight Parking Permit Program was first introduced within the Cornell subdivision, then within the Angus Glen subdivision.  The program provides a viable parking alternative to residents who may own more cars than the parking spaces available and at the same time takes into consideration the interests of those opposed to overnight on-street parking through the individual costs associated with the program.  The System has proven to be very successful in both communities.  Currently the Town is averaging 25 permit per month in Cornell and 56 permits per month in Angus Glen.

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Cathedraltown is not currently designated for Overnight Parking in Parking By-law 2005-188 and as such Enforcement staff have been issuing tags for overnight parking violations.  A total of 193 tags have been issued from January until the end of October 2007.

Fram Building Group, the building contractor responsible for the Cathedraltown development, has approached the Town on behalf of impacted residents in order to address the lack of available parking that exists in the area.  In response, approximately 600 area residents received a letter outlining a proposal to expand the Overnight Parking Permit Program to their neighbourhood and were asked to provide feedback regarding the issue.  Staff received a total of 21 resident responses; 14 of which were in favour of the proposal and 7 of which were not in favour.  Below is a consolidation of comments submitted by residents:

COMMENTS IN FAVOUR OF OVERNIGHT PARKING

COMMENTS NOT IN FAVOUR OF OVERNIGHT PARKING

The program will alleviate having to rely on neighbours for the use of their parking space.

The program is anti-environmental as it rewards the purchase of additional cars.

The program will allow guests staying for extended time periods to park their vehicle.

The community design established laneway garages to prevent car congestion in the front of the home.

On street parking is the only option for families with 3 or more vehicles.

Overnight parking will create noise pollution.

The $30.00 monthly fee will keep the applicants to a minimum.

Noxious fumes will enter homes while vehicles are idly warmed.

The program will alleviate the continuous struggle associated with moving vehicles around each morning and evening.

The community has not experienced overcrowding of vehicles on streets therefore a parking permit system is unnecessary.

Overnight street parking will be especially applicable to families whose children approach and/or are driving age.

A parking permit system will clog up the streets and ruin the historic charm of the community.

Based on the feedback received from area residents, who responded 67% in support of implementing an Overnight Parking Permit Program, it is recommended that the same Overnight Parking Permit Program used in Angus Glen with the fees paid for all permits be adopted within Cathedraltown.  A $30.00 fee is recommended for all vehicles, which is consistent with establishing different fees for the different areas of the Town based on individual circumstances.

The implementation of the Overnight Parking Permit Program in specific sections of Cornell and Angus Glen subdivisions has proven to reduce the number of vehicles parked overnight on streets while balancing the interests of both those opposed to overnight parking and those in favour through the individual costs associated with the program.  Staff will continue to monitor the area and track the volume of vehicles parked overnight and continue to ensure that safety due to on-street parking is not compromised.

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not Applicable

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

An overnight parking permit option may be of assistance to residents with accessibility concerns by providing more direct and unobstructed access as some locations when compared to a rear lane location.

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

Organizational Excellence – The program uses and will use technology to provide quality services for residents

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Not Applicable

RECOMMENDED

BY:    ________________________          ________________________

Sheila Birrell, Clerk                             Andy Taylor, Commissioner

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